Well Suited For The Job

To the Editor:

Running for Judge of Probate on the Independent Party of Newtown election slate is Margaret “Peggy” Jepsen, a friend and associate of mine for many years. Peggy and I first met while she was an executive assistant to one of the senior partners at a Wall Street brokerage firm. I had been hired by another of the senior partners to oversee his customers while he took on other duties, which meant that Peggy and I worked in the executive offices together. I found her work ethic, as did her boss, to be responsible, efficient, and effective. She put in long hours, as was the custom in Wall Street, often handling issues of considerable importance to the firm, usually involving large sums of money. It was clear she was an invaluable asset to her boss and to the firm.

Over time I moved to a firm in New Jersey and Peggy married and began a family, leaving the bustle of Wall Street for the beauty of Connecticut. We kept in touch, letting each other know how our lives were progressing.

I remember when she decided she had the available time once again to enter the work force and soon got a job working for the Newtown Probate office – that was over 20 years ago. She was thrilled to start something new, something she had little experience with but right up her alley, for Peggy is first and foremost a people person.

Back in Wall Street, Peggy was known for her ability to deal with the public in such a positive manner, always upbeat and ready to help however possible. Here now was a new opportunity, the probate office, a place where new people are calling every day; it could be someone from the general public with questions regarding an aging parent, an attorney not sure how to handle a particular matter of probate, a judge with a task to perform or someone desperate to get his or her passport renewed. Whatever it was, Peggy was ready. Of course, she had a lot to learn, but with the prospect of dealing every day with new people, helping them solve their particular predicaments, she was more than eager to learn all she could.

Today, as Judge of Probate Margot Hall is on the verge of stepping down after so many years of remarkable service to the community, the obvious person to fill her shoes is Peggy Jepsen. She and the judge have worked hand-in-hand for more than 20 years and all who deal with that office will have to admit that Peggy can handle anything that comes along. After so many years of faithful service on the part of Peggy Jepsen, she has certainly earned the right to become Newtown’s new Judge of Probate.

Thomas G. Stanley

17 Lowery Lane, Mendham, N.J.                               August 31, 2009